GRAMINE^ (POACE^), GRASS FAMILY 



8l 



subtending one or more lemmas; in the axil of each lemma is 

 a flower, and each flower consists of a palet (outer perianth), 

 two lodicules (inner perianth), three stamens, and a single 

 pistil. Each stamen has a large anther. The filament 

 {stalk) is attached at the base of the anther, but on account 



Fig. 30. — Wheat flower with lemma removed; considerably magnified. 



of the extreme sagittate nature of the latter, it appears 

 versatile. The ovary is one-celled, one-seeded, bears two 

 styles and two feathery stigmas. 



There are many deviations from the typical form of spikelet. In Colean- 

 Ihus, the empty glumes are absent; in Nardus, solitary; in Bomalocenchrus, 

 mere rudiments. In some Agrostis species, the palet is rudimentary. It is 

 not always two-keeled, but generally two-nerved. There is a third (posterior) 

 lodicule in some grasses. Although the stamens are as a rule three, there are 

 six in most bamboos and in rice {Oryza). In Streptochceta and Oryza (oc- 

 casionally), there are three styles, and only one in Nardus. 

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